News Digest of the Pacific Northwest United Methodist Church

Bishop Edward Paup has announced his intention to appoint Rev. Kathlyn James as Senior Pastor of Edmonds United Methodist Church effective July 1, 2007.

Officer Lists Now Due

If you have not already done so, please return your completed Officer List to the Conference Office a.s.a.p. We rely on the information you provide for Annual Conference. Thank you.

Conference Journals

We have approximately twenty 2006 Journals left that can be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are interested in a Journal, please call Anna at the Conference Office. 800-755-7710 ext 303 or 206-870- 6803.

Interim Pre-pandemic Planning Guidance

The CDC is advancing the nation' preparedness efforts for the next pandemic. The document Interim Pre-pandemic Planning Guidance: Community Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Mitigation in the United States was released this week. The Executive Summary Pages 7- 16) and Appendices 7 and 8 (pages 99 - 108) will help faith communities and families in their planning. It is available at www.pandemicflu.gov/ plan/community/community_mitigation.pdf . Courtesy of the Health Ministries Association

February 7, #12

Prayers Needed
We extend prayers and sympathy to Pastor Cindy Wuts and her family on the death of her mother, Barbara Austin-McCombs on January 31 in Virginia. The service to celebrate her life was held February 4.
Memorial Service
Robert G. Albertson August 15, 1922 – February 6, 2007 Robert G. Albertson, retired pastor, died February 6, 2007. He is survived by his spouse, Aileen L. Albertson, who lives at 6415 N. Park Way Apt. 3, Tacoma, WA, 98407-2276 and his two children: daughter, Marianne Spiegel of McLean, Virginia and son, Richard L. Albertson of Tokyo, Japan. Robert G. Albertson served in the Northern Illinois Conference before coming to the Pacific Northwest Conference in 1952. He served Tacoma: Asbury before becoming a Professor at the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA in 1956. He retired from many years of service to the University of Puget Sound in 1987. A Memorial Service for Robert G. Albertson will be held Sunday, February 11, 2007 at 2:00p.m. in Kilworth Chapel on the campus of the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA. Conference Board of Pensions, February 7, 2007

February 7, #11

UNITED METHODIST VOLUNTEERS IN MISSION
Is a grass-roots movement of the Holy Spirit, originating at the local church level as United Methodists felt called to act out their faith through HANDS-ON MISSION SERVICE. It was officially sanctioned by the 1980 General Conference. UMVIM AWARENESS SUNDAY, this year February 18th (or a Sunday of your choice). UMVIM is a life changing experience for those who heed their personal call to serve. Volunteers share love, as well as their skills and talents. For resources to help your church celebrate this exciting ministry check: www.umvimwj.com; www.pnwumc.org; www.umvim.info; ruthrev@aol,com; www.missionvolunteers.org; r-cordill@hotmail.com Thank you and God bless your mission work.

Summer Minister Position Available
A Pastor for the position of Summer Minister at the historic Little Church in the Pines located in Island Park, Idaho is needed from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. This is a diverse ecumenical congregation located in rural mountain vacation area, 25 miles from Yellowstone National Park. The Island Park community desires a pastor with seminary education and some experience in ministering to small, isolated populations. This job is a seasonal, part-time position. Full hookup trailer spot provided plus negotiable weekly stipend and travel allowance. Arrangements for suitable housing can be made if you do not own a travel trailer or RV. If you are interested in applying for the position of Summer Minister at the Little Church in the Pines for 2007, request an Application for Summer Minister from the Regional Council for Christian Ministry office at PO Box 2236, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2236 or via email to LittleChurch@onewest.net. If you have any questions, please call the office at (208) 524-9935 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Deadline for applications is February 28, 2007.

Equality Day 2007- Monday, February 26 on the Capitol Steps in Olympia
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend Equality Day 2007 in order to take a stand, with other people faith and religious leaders, for the full equality of LGBT seniors, families, individuals and youth under the laws of Washington State. New domestic partnership legislation (SB 5336 / HB 1351), which will ensure some of the most basic protections like hospital visitation, health care decisions and inheritance rights, is pending and has a real possibility of passing this session. It is critically important that we have a great turnout for this year's Equality Day. Equality Day is in urgent need of congregational sponsors willing to commit to turning out members to join us in Olympia, providing financial support and helping to publicize/promote the event. For details about becoming a sponsoring congregation, go to www.religiouscoalition-wa.org. Equality Day is made possible by the Religious Coalition for Equality and Equal Rights Washington. For more information, please see www.equalityday.org.

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM
Appeal Number: 6292 Appeal Amount: $27,000 SITUATION: The swath of tornadoes and storms that wrecked parts of central Florida on Feb. 1 left at least 20 people dead, and destroyed or damaged at least 1,600 homes. President Bush declared disasters in Lake, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties, where thousands were left homeless in the storm’s wake. CWS is issuing this $27,000 appeal for support of the following: $4,000 for shipping material resources; $20,000 for grants to the VIND and LASER long-term recovery groups; $3,000 for DRRL deployment expenses. For further information about disasters to which Church World Service is responding please visit www.churchworldservice.org or call the CWS Hotline, (800) 297-1516.
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February 6, #9

New Appointments
Bishop Edward Paup has announced his intention to appoint Rev. Glenn Kennedy as pastor of Spokane: Fowler United Methodist Church, effective July 1, 2007.
Bishop Edward Paup intends to extend Jack Olive's appointment as Interim Associate Dean for Ecumenical Relations at Seattle University's School of Theology and Ministry through the 2007-2008 conference year from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, and to make this appointment full time beginning July 1, 2007.
Quick Links
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For local church news, please click here: http://www.pnwumc.org/html/localchurch.html

February 2, 2007 #8

UMCOR Seeking Donations

NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2007—Central Florida was struck early this morning by violent thunderstorms that spawned tornadoes causing sufficient damage for a state of emergency to be declared in four counties. The storms killed at least 14 and sent many more to hospitals seeking treatment. UMCOR is in contact with the Storm Recovery Center for the Florida Annual (regional) Conference as they assess the situation. UMCOR is sending emergency grants to the area to help with recovery efforts. The Florida Annual Conference website notes that offers of assistance for survivors are already pouring in from areas surrounding those affected. Cash gifts will help provide for recovery. Checks can be mailed to UMCOR PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Write “UMCOR Advance #901670, Domestic Disaster Response – Florida Tornadoes,” on the memo line of your check. One hundred percent of every donation to any appeal, including appeals for Florida recovery, goes to support the designated program.

Endowment Giving School

Saturday, February 17, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the PNW Conference Center (Des Moines) Sponsored by the PNW Conference Endowment Program, this training event is open to members of any Conference board, council, committee, or agency. This event will help participants to establish and grow enduring, endowment funds that benefit their ministries. Participants will leave this event with a better understanding of the unique nature of endowments, knowledge of the basic tools of endowment giving, and skills to effectively communicate with potential endowment supporters. To RSVP for this free event, please contact the United Methodist Foundation of the Northwest at (800) 488-4179 or umfnw@nwi.net.

UMM Annual Meeting

The UMM annual meeting will be held March 10th 2007 at Wesley UMC in Yakima, WA. The time is 10am-3pm. Registration for this event is $15 Come here Seven Rivers District President Ron Hines deliver the keynote. For a registration brochure or questions please contact UMM conference president Keith Smith at smitlo825@msn.com or call 206-380-3041

Leadership Change at United Methodist Relief Agency

New York, New York, February 1, 2007— The Rev. Paul Dirdak is leaving the staff of the General Board of Global Ministries, where he has been the deputy general secretary in charge of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and the Office of Mission Volunteers. He will be succeeded on an interim basis by the Rev. Sam Dixon, another deputy general secretary who currently leads the Evangelization and Church Growth unit of the board, and who once worked for the humanitarian relief organization of The United Methodist Church. To read remainder of news release click here http://gbgm- umc.org/global_news/pr.cfm?articleid=4371

UMC.org Has New Website

UMC.org, the Web site of the people of The United Methodist Church. United Methodist Communications invites you to visit www.UMC.org today and take a look at the new resources and features available to you and your members. To see the new website click here. Please visit www.UMC.org and be among the first to see the new Web site of the people of The United Methodist Church.